Shout With A Whisper

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

There are three elements needed to start a fire-oxygen, heat and fuel. Take away any one of these elements and there will be no fire.

It could be viewed that there are also three elements needed for an argument, two people as minimum and something to argue about. Take away one of those elements and there will be no argument.

You may not be able to eradicate or avoid the subject of discussion, and the other individual will only cease to argue if they choose to. So you remove the third element, yourself.

This doesn’t have to be physically; that is not always possible, although it can help for a time-but don’t be one of the elements that fans the flames, that keeps the fire burning.

Here in Proverbs we can see that the way to do this is to respond to others with a gentle answer. The Message Bible puts it this way-‘a gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire’.

God wants us to live in peace with one another and to encourage peaceful living in others, which is best achieved by setting the example of a quiet and gentle existence -free from the destructive power of arguments and strife. We will still be able to make a stand, to make our point heard-we can whisper as though we are shouting, hopefully about Our Good and Gracious Eternal Father in Heaven.

Prayer
Father, help us to have love and compassion in our hearts for all mankind-as you do, and to live peaceably with everyone we know and meet even when they try to stir up strife. Give us the strength and wisdom to lead by your example.
In Christ’s name we pray.
Amen

Study by Sinead Templeman